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A Year of Climate Action

12 images from the last year of the Paris Agreement on climate change

By UN Foundation

December 12^th, 2016

One year ago, the historic Paris Agreement on climate change was adopted by 195 countries at a major United Nations climate conference in France. The last year has been truly remarkable in both the breadth and speed of climate action since the adoption of this agreement – the Paris Agreement was signed, formally joined, and entered into full legal force in only 11 months since its adoption in Paris. To celebrate the one-year anniversary of the adoption of this agreement, we’re highlighting the 12 top moments for the Paris Agreement over the last 12 months:

the 'family photo' that broke records

November 30, 2015 | World leaders pose for a “family photo” to kick off the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) in Paris, France. Over 150 world leaders met in France to discuss the adoption of the Paris Agreement – the biggest gathering of world leaders to a UN event in history.

(Photo Credit: UN Photo/Mark Garten)

a final review

December 12, 2015 | United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon discusses the draft text of the Paris Agreement with his advisors before meeting with COP21 President Laurent Fabius during the UN climate change conference in December 2015. Two weeks of tireless debate and sleepless nights preceded the eventual adoption of the historic climate accord as negotiators hammered out the details of this agreement.

(Photo Credit: UN Photo/Mark Garten)

"It's a Small Gavel, But I think it can do great things."

December 12, 2015 | With the banging of his green gavel, COP21 President Laurent Fabius announces the formal adoption of the Paris Agreement and the close of the 21st Conference of Parties. Amid cheers and tears as leaders grew emotional to see the historic accord finally realized, Fabius stated, “It’s a small gavel, but I think it can do great things.”

(Photo Credit: UN Photo/Mark Garten)

taking to the streets

December 12, 2015 | As the Paris Agreement entered into effect, tens of thousands of citizens took to the streets of Paris to march from the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower for climate justice and action.

(Photo Credit: Flickr/Takver)

"A new collective consciousness"

April 22, 2016 | UN Messenger of Peace Leonardo DiCaprio urges world leaders to action at the signing ceremony for the Paris Agreement: “Yes, we have achieved the Paris Agreement. More countries have come together to sign this agreement today than for any other cause in the history of humankind, and that is reason for hope. But unfortunately the evidence shows us that it will not be enough,” warned the actor and climate activist.

“Our planet cannot be saved unless we leave fossil fuels in the ground where they belong. An upheaval, a massive change is required right now, one that leads to a new collective consciousness, a new collective evolution of the human race, inspired and enabled by a sense of urgency from all of you.”

(Photo Credit: UN Photo/Mark Garten)

"action today, not tomorrow."

April 22, 2016 | Gertrude Clement, 16-year-old radio reporter from Tanzania, UNICEF youth representative, and climate advocate, urges action for the future at the opening of the Paris Agreement signing ceremony: “Today, I’m standing before you to represent children and young people all over the world…As young people, the future is ours. But this is not the future we want for ourselves.” Opening the ceremony that would see 31 countries formally join the agreement, bringing it closer to entry into force, Gertrude held leaders accountable: “We expect more than words on paper and promises – we expect action. Action on a big scale. And we expect action today, not tomorrow.”

(Photo Credit: UN Photo/Rick Bajornas)

signing for the future

April 22, 2016 | At the signing ceremony at the UN, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry signs the Paris Agreement on behalf of the United States while holding his granddaughter, Isabelle, on his lap. This touching moment reminded onlookers that leaders must act today to curb emissions and ensure a safe future for generations to come. The signing of the Paris Agreement was the second of three steps (adoption, signing, and formal joining) required for the accord to enter into force.

(Photo Credit: UN Photo/Rick Bajornas)

looking back, looking forward

September 21, 2016 | Looking back, and looking forward: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is joined by the presidents of past and future COPs (COP21 President Segolene Royal, and COP22 President Salaheddine Mezouar) as well as UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa at a special ceremony to speed ratification of the Paris Agreement.

(Photo Credit: UN Photo/Cia Pak)

First to join

September 21, 2016 | Josaia V. Bainimarama, Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, addresses leaders at a special event to speed entry into force of the Paris Agreement. Fiji was the first country in the world to formally join the Paris Agreement, with unanimous agreement from the island nation’s parliament in February.

(Photo Credit: UN Photo/Cia Pak)

"Our gift of hope"

October 21, 2016 | The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement win the 2016 Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation. UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa and her predecessor Christiana Figueres embraced as they accepted the award on behalf of the thousands of individuals who have dedicated countless hours to make the Paris Agreement a reality. As Espinosa shared in her accepting the award, "the Paris Agreement is our gift of hope...Today, we have in our hands the tools to work together and build not only a better future, but also a safe and sustainable present for our children and the children of all."

"you are the Kings and queens without crowns"

November 4, 2016 | “You are the kings and queens without crowns.” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon applauded leaders of civil society at a special event in New York celebrating the entry into force of the Paris Agreement. 30 days after the Paris Agreement met the necessary thresholds of formal joining by at least 55 countries representing at least 55% of the world’s emissions, the climate accord entered into full legal force.

(Photo Credit: UN Photo/Rick Bajornas)

"a clear message to the world"

November 15, 2016 | UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addresses leaders of business, civil society, and government at COP22 in Marrakech, congratulating them for a remarkable year of climate action, but urging continued dedication to maintain global momentum: “In a period of less than 12 months, the Paris Agreement was agreed, adopted and ratified by enough countries to enable its entry into force…The speed of this progress sends a clear message to the world of the urgent need to act on climate change, and of our collective commitment to do so.”

(Photo Credit: UN Photo/Evan Schneider)

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